Ecumenical condolences after air disaster

THE World Council of Churches’ general secretary, the Revd Professor Jerry Pillay, has extended his “deepest condolences to the bereaved families” of the 179 people killed when a Jeju Air airliner carrying 181 people crash-landed on the runway of Muan International Airport, South Korea, on Sunday. Two flight attendants who survived are being treated in hospital. Investigations are being conducted into why the aeroplane was unable to lower its undercarriage, after one engine appeared to have been hit by a bird strike. “This catastrophe, which should never have occurred, has taken precious lives, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones,” Professor Pillay said.

Applause for Biden’s commutation of death sentences

THE American Friends Service Committee — a Quaker organisation that has worked for decades to abolish the death sentence — has applauded the commutation, by President Biden, of the death sentences of 37 people on federal death row. The committee’s US peacebuilding director, Lewis Webb, said: “State-sponsored executions are an affront to morality, common sense, and history. Death sentences fail to prevent crime, disproportionately target people of color, and have condemned numerous people who were later exonerated. We applaud the commutation of these sentences and call on federal and state governments to end this cruel practice in its entirety.” The committee’s programmes in Michigan, New Jersey, California, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and New York are working to change sentencing, commutation, and parole policies at the state level.

Stampedes lead to Christmas deaths in Nigeria

DOZENS of people have died in stampedes during Christmas charity events across Nigeria, Crux Now reports. On December 21, ten people died at an event organised by the St Vincent de Paul Society to distribute food and clothing at Holy Trinity, Maitama, in Abuja. More than 1000 people were evacuated from the church. On the same day, 22 people died at a similar food-distribution event in the southern town of Okija, organised by a philanthropist. The President of the St Vincent de Paul of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Joy Ohiagu, who is a lawyer, said that, because of the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, many people had “slept over just to get food. It’s not just happening in Nigeria; this kind of desperation is everywhere.” The Archbishop of Abuja, the Most Revd Ignatius Kaigama, described it as “a devastating blow” and offered his “heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and injured”.

Anglicans appeal for Port Vila earthquake victims

THE Melanesian Mission (MMUK) has appealed for donations to help families affected by the recent earthquakes in Port Vila, Vanuatu. On 17 December, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the capital. It was followed, less than 24 hours later, by a second 5.5-magnitude earthquake that triggered landslides and causing widespread destruction. Fourteen people, including an Anglican priest, were killed, and 2000 were injured. More than 1000 people have been evacuated. MMUK has sent £2000 in emergency funding and would like to send £10,000 more to support the work of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, which launched, from its headquarters in Santo, an emergency response within 24 hours of the first earthquake. It also dispatched its mission ship, the Southern Cross, to deliver supplies. www.mmuk.net